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LG Optimus Z now available in South Korea
Announced back in April, LG has now launched its so-called Optimus Z Android handset on a pair of South Korea carriers -- SK Telecom and KT -- bearing model numbers SU950 and KU9500, respectively. You've got the usual range of features like a 3.5-inch WVGA display, 5 megapixel cam, DivX compatibility, and support for LG's neat Air Sync service, but what really sets these bad boys apart is something LG is aptly calling "On Screen Phone": using Bluetooth, you'll be able to see and interact with the Optimus Z's screen from your PC, which is awesome when you're too lazy to extract the thing from your pocket. It also offers something called "Drag & Shake," which will let you transfer files between devices with a mere shake of the phone -- something that conjures visions of Seoul residents meeting on the street and executing a series of odd gestures to exchange information. Paired with the announcement (which you can read after the break) is an affirmation of LG's plans to launch an Android tablet as part of the Optimus series in the fourth quarter, which should be an interesting foil for the so-called Galaxy Tab. We'll happily take one of each, of course.
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LG BOLSTERS SMARTPHONE PRESENCE IN KOREAN SMARPTHONE MARKET WITH OPTIMUS Z
Third Smartphone in Optimus Series of Smart Devices
SEOUL, July 29, 2010 – LG Electronics (LG) today announced the Korean launch of its latest smartphone, LG Optimus Z (LG-SU950/KU9500). Offered through local tele- coms providers SK Telecom and KT, Part of LG's Optimus Series, Optimus Z boasts a singular, stylish design and latest version of Google's Android OS.
With the 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon at its core, Optimus Z is being launched with Android OS 2.1 with the option to upgrade to Version 2.2 before the end of the year. Advanced multimedia options include 3.5 inch WVGA "Hyper" HD LCD (800 x 480 pixels), Korea-specific T-DMB mobile TV, 5 MP camera, Dolby Mobile and DivX compatibility. Optimus Z comes with two 1,350mAh batteries, good for hours and hours of talking or entertainment. And at only 11.05 mm thin, Optimus Z and its unique "Z- style" design is more angular than previous LG smartphones and its matte-finish metal gives the Optimus Z a solid, durable feel.
In a first for Korean smartphones, the LG Optimus Z offers On Screen Phone function that lets user display their phone interface on the screen of their PC. Using Bluetooth or a data cable, the interface will appear onscreen, letting users manage the phone's vari- ous functions – including applications and e-mail – on the computer. In addition, any documents, images or music files stored on the PC can be easily transferred to Optimus Z using this interface. Furthermore, Drag & Shake allows LG Optimus Z users to share files between smartphones with a simple shake of the handset, while LG Air Sync lets them constantly sync the phone with their PCs or other mobile digital devices.
The LG Optimus Z comes pre-equipped with more than 100 of the most popular appli- cations in Korea, along with 70 more that are not available in the Android Market. Additional applications may be downloaded through SK Telecom's and KT's respective application stores.
Optimus Z is the third device in LG's Optimus Series family to be introduced globally. More Optimus devices are in the pipeline, including the launch of LG's Android tablet in the fourth quarter of 2010.
